by Bob Nightengale and Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale and Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz informed the Texas Rangers on Monday that he will accept his suspension for the team's remaining 50 games, a move that stunned Rangers' officials, but Cruz issued a statement saying he hopes to rejoin his team for the playoffs.

Rangers officials were blindsided by the news, only learning of Cruz's decision Monday morning, hours before MLB was set to announce its discipline in the Biogenesis matter. They struggled to land a potential replacement for Cruz at the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline, and now will attempt to add depth by making a waiver trade before Aug. 31, a process that guarantees little.

"I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Rangers organization, my teammates and the great Rangers fans," he said in the statement. "And I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the team for the playoffs."

The Rangers are second in the American League West, 2½ games behind Oakland, and just a half-game out of a wild-card spot.

Cruz would be eligible for the postseason, but what could be most significant for him personally is that, at age 33, he becomes a free agent after the season. With his suspension behind him, a right fielder who ranks among the American League's top five in home runs and RBI should attract a significant contract.

The Toronto Blue Jays' Melky Cabrera was suspended 50 games during last season while leading the National League in batting for the San Francisco Giants. He still got a two-year, $16 million contract from the Blue Jays last winter.

Any deal Cruz gets will be negotiated by new representatives. He switched Monday from ACES, the agency headed by brothers Seth and Sam Levinson, to Adam Katz from the Wasserman Group, the person said.

Cruz cited a significant weight loss from a gastrointestinal infection during the 2011-12 offseason as his season for turning to a banned substance. He reported to spring training in 2012 well under his usual weight, a loss than Cruz now says was 40 pounds.

"Faced with this situation, I made an error in judgment that I deeply regret," he said in the statement. "I should have handled the situation differently and my illness was no excuse."